Battery Life on a trip without power
Aug 4, 2017 14:21:14 #
I'm going on a river rafting trip and am trying to estimate how many batteries to take. I will have no access to power for 6 days. Theoretically each battery should last for 450 shots? If I charge up all the batteries before rafting, will the unused batteries lose power over a few days and not really be backups?
I have a Canon EOS 77D and use the LP-E17 battery packs. I don't shoot with live view and limit my screen time. Historically I probably shoot 450 over the course of two days. And with my Canon Rebel each battery lasted about two days. Do I use that as my guideline or does the Canon 77D use more power?
I have a Canon EOS 77D and use the LP-E17 battery packs. I don't shoot with live view and limit my screen time. Historically I probably shoot 450 over the course of two days. And with my Canon Rebel each battery lasted about two days. Do I use that as my guideline or does the Canon 77D use more power?
Aug 4, 2017 15:15:44 #
Kissel vonKeister
Loc: Georgia
rfoelber wrote:
I'm going on a river rafting trip and am trying to... (show quote)
If you will have access to 12V power, there are aftermarket chargers that you can use in the car/boat/camper - wherever there's a 12V socket. I know such chargers come bundled with Wasabi batteries, and I'm sure there are other sources.
Aug 4, 2017 15:17:15 #
Lithium Ion batteries don't self discharge very quickly ... something like 1%/month so a couple of spares should be plenty
Aug 4, 2017 15:22:11 #
rfoelber wrote:
You might experience a very slight loss of power over time, but nothing to be bothered about. I always have some spares in my packs and sometimes I use them after they spend a couple of weeks in them and they work just fine (although I do get a few less shots)!I'm going on a river rafting trip and am trying to... (show quote)
Aug 4, 2017 15:31:14 #
I use a small 15 watt solar panel from Harbor Frueght, it is inexpensive and provides 12 vdc, and with added power distrution box, 5 vdc us for charging cell phones! Check it out. Size be is about 5.5" wide by 10" long by 5/8" thick. Weight about 1 lb.
Aug 4, 2017 17:00:55 #
rfoelber wrote:
I'm going on a river rafting trip and am trying to... (show quote)
Get one of these portable battery packs. Plug any USB device into it and give it a charge. I use one a lot, and the charge seems to last forever.
Aug 4, 2017 19:10:35 #
Won't have access to USB port either, but a solar panel is a thought. Unfortunately, I have the feeling that we will be on the river most of the day and access to the sun to set up a solar panel will be limited. Also, we are limited as to what we can pack in our dry packs. Thanks for the responses concerning power loss of batteries that are not in use. This is very reassuring. 3 batteries for 6 days seems adequate.
Aug 4, 2017 20:07:10 #
Aug 4, 2017 20:24:43 #
OK I think maybe we are missing the point about USB ports. This is not on a Laptop or Desktop we are talking about. I have a AC/DC charger I purchased at Best Buy I believe, and it has a USB port on it to charge cell phone, and my camera batteries, from either plugging it in the wall, or plugging it into a cigarette lighter plug so any 12 vdc battery will charge those items. the Automotive DC battery pack for starting your car, newer ones have USB ports charger, and several other type outlets including a cigarette receptacle for my camera battery charger. The are these 6000 or more mAHr battery packs for charging cell phone and other low voltage devices 3-5 vdc. There are many ways available to you to recharge your camera batteries, or as you said, take a bunch of FULLY charged batteries with you. The cell phone charger could also come in handy in case something goes wrong on your trip and you are stranded for a few days longer than your cell phone will last. Just some thoughts, we want you to come back and show us some fantastic photography.
Aug 5, 2017 06:32:00 #
Kissel vonKeister wrote:
If you will have access to 12V power, there are aftermarket chargers that you can use in the car/boat/camper - wherever there's a 12V socket. I know such chargers come bundled with Wasabi batteries, and I'm sure there are other sources.
You can also use the original camera battery charger and a 12v to 115v converter (Black and Decker and several other companies make the lighter to 115 cigarette / accessory outlet converters) http://www.amazon.com/Power-Inverters-Cigarette-Lighter/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A583328%2Cp_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4889846011
The above is just an example and not intended to promote any brand.
Do NOT get cute and think that you can plug a space heater into it to keep the car warm while camping.. If you do and it doesn't burn out the adapter, you will soon need someone to jump start your car. I use mine to charge the camera batteries while driving between shoots.
Aug 5, 2017 06:56:21 #
Szalajj
Loc: Salem, NH
Tet68survivor wrote:
OK I think maybe we are missing the point about US... (show quote)
The OP will be on a river, the only vehicle on the river is the raft they'll be riding in ON the river.
There is no access to a vehicle charger!
Although a solar charger could be an option, there would be a very limited amount of time each day to actually use a solar charger because they'll be rafting during most of the daylight hours!
Cell phone signals would be limited in most wilderness locations due to a lack of cell phone antenna towers, unless it was a satellite capable cell phone. Most rivers tend to be in canyon type of locations down between rock formations, further limiting access to cell phone signals. Often the rock walls limit access between the river and higher ground. If someone isn't experienced in free climbing rock walls or formations, getting to higher ground to try to get a signal to make a call would be difficult, and most cell phones might not stand up to the abuse of the river.
Aug 5, 2017 07:05:41 #
Szalajj
Loc: Salem, NH
With all of the crazy weather we've been experiencing recently, I do want to interject a warning about flash flooding.
In the last 2 days there have been dangerous flash floods in several locations in western states.
Carefully watch the weather, and the predictions for the next week before your trip.
I just saw a prediction here in New England for severe weather, but my antenna signal was broken up enough that I don't know if it's for today or tomorrow, so I need to check my weather app to verify when the storm is due to hit.
In the last 2 days there have been dangerous flash floods in several locations in western states.
Carefully watch the weather, and the predictions for the next week before your trip.
I just saw a prediction here in New England for severe weather, but my antenna signal was broken up enough that I don't know if it's for today or tomorrow, so I need to check my weather app to verify when the storm is due to hit.
Aug 5, 2017 07:43:02 #
rfoelber wrote:
I'm going on a river rafting trip and am trying to... (show quote)
Use that as a guideline. Then take 2-3 additional batteries seeing as this appears to be a unique trip. Batteries are cheap compared to being stuck half way through the trip and go dead. So take 6 fully charged batteries. Remember you might want to take some evening or night photos with the flash and that will consume the batteries faster.
Finally 450 shots are a lot of spray and pray shots. And you will want to spend time enjoying the trip first hand and not through the viewfinder. You might even want to interact on a personal basis with fellow travelers. Just a thought.
Aug 5, 2017 08:35:33 #
Get a GO-PRO, leave your expensive camera home, batteries are smaller so you can bring more, and the video can be broken down into photos! You could loose you camera over board! I also agree with the crazy weather we are having, being on it a relatively uncontrollable river can change in a heart beat! Wait till dry season 😎 or fall when the weather is a bit more forgiving, but then that would take the excitement out! Have fun, but be safe!
Aug 5, 2017 08:38:35 #
TODAY! OVER 3" rain in parts of CT already, put your life jacket on and build that Arc!
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